Audio artist avatars in a virtual environment

ABSTRACT

Techniques are disclosed to reflect status in a virtual environment. An artist associated with audio content being played by a first user controlling a player avatar is determined. A companion avatar providing a virtual representation of the artist of the audio content is generated. The companion avatar is associated with the player avatar in the virtual environment. The companion avatar is configured to interact with the player avatar, and presence of the companion avatar conveys to one or more other users interacting within the virtual environment that the first user is currently listening to audio content of the artist.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/195,164, filed Mar. 3, 2014. The aforementioned relatedpatent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to virtual environments. Morespecifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to reflecting statusin a virtual environment.

Description of the Related Art

A virtual world is a simulated environment in which users may interactwith virtual objects and locations of the virtual world. Each user maycontrol a respective avatar through which the user may interact withother users' avatars in the virtual world. An avatar generally providesa graphical representation of an individual within the virtual worldenvironment. Avatars are usually presented to other users as two orthree-dimensional graphical representations that resembles a humanindividual. Frequently, virtual worlds allow multiple users to enter thevirtual environment and interact with one another. Virtual worlds aresaid to provide an immersive environment, as they typically appearsimilar to the real world and objects tend to follow rules related togravity, topography, locomotion, physics and kinematics. Of course,virtual worlds can suspend or alter these rules as well as provide otherimaginative or fanciful environments. Users typically communicate withone another through their avatars using text messages sent betweenavatars, real-time voice communication, gestures displayed by avatars,symbols visible in the virtual world, and the like.

Some virtual worlds are described as being persistent. A persistentworld provides an immersive environment (e.g., a fantasy setting used asa setting for a role-playing game, or a virtual world complete withland, buildings, towns, and economies) that is generally alwaysavailable and where events continue to occur regardless of the presenceof a given avatar. Thus, unlike more conventional online games ormulti-user environments, the virtual world continues to exist and plotsand events continue to unfold as users enter (and exit) the virtualworld. Other virtual worlds are persistent for a certain period of time,e.g., a specified number of days. Virtual environments are presented asimages on a display screen and some virtual environment may allow usersto record events that occur within the virtual environment.

SUMMARY

Embodiments presented in this disclosure provide a computer-implementedmethod to reflect status in a virtual environment. The method includesdetermining an artist associated with audio content being played by afirst user controlling a player avatar in the virtual environment. Themethod also includes generating a companion avatar providing a virtualrepresentation of the artist of the audio content. The method alsoincludes associating the companion avatar with the player avatar in thevirtual environment. The companion avatar is configured to interact withthe player avatar, and presence of the companion avatar conveys to oneor more other users interacting within the virtual environment that thefirst user is currently listening to audio content of the artist.

Other embodiments presented in this disclosure provide a computerprogram product to reflect status in a virtual environment. The computerprogram product includes a computer-readable storage medium havingprogram code embodied therewith, the program code executable todetermine an artist associated with audio content being played by afirst user controlling a player avatar in the virtual environment. Theprogram code is also executable to generate a companion avatar providinga virtual representation of the artist of the audio content. The programcode is also executable to associate the companion avatar with theplayer avatar in the virtual environment. The companion avatar isconfigured to interact with the player avatar, and presence of thecompanion avatar conveys to one or more other users interacting withinthe virtual environment that the first user is currently listening toaudio content of the artist.

Still other embodiments presented in this disclosure provide a system toreflect status in a virtual environment. The system includes one or morecomputer processors and a memory containing a program which, whenexecuted by the one or more computer processors, is configured toperform an operation that includes determining an artist associated withaudio content being played by a first user controlling a player avatarin the virtual environment. The operation also includes generating acompanion avatar providing a virtual representation of the artist of theaudio content. The operation also includes associating the companionavatar with the player avatar in the virtual environment. The companionavatar is configured to interact with the player avatar, and presence ofthe companion avatar conveys to one or more other users interactingwithin the virtual environment that the first user is currentlylistening to audio content of the artist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained andcan be understood in detail, a more particular description ofembodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had byreference to the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a data flow diagram illustrating an application configured toreflect status in a virtual environment, according to one embodimentpresented in this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system configured toreflect status in a virtual environment, according to one embodimentpresented in this disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B convey perks granted by the companion avatar in a firstavatar mode, according to one embodiment presented in this disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B convey perks granted by the companion avatar in a secondavatar mode, according to one embodiment presented in this disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict a user interface for an artist to take control of acompanion avatar, according to one embodiment presented in thisdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting a method to facilitate socialinteractions in a virtual environment and based on companion avatars,according to one embodiment presented in this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for managing perks associatedwith companion avatars in a virtual environment, according to oneembodiment presented in this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating components of the applicationconfigured to reflect status in a virtual environment, according to oneembodiment presented in this disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system configured toreflect status in a virtual environment, according to one embodimentpresented in this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Virtual environments seek to provide an engaging, immersive experiencefor its users. Some virtual environments may also encourage socialactivity, such as providing incentives for users to band together tocomplete a desired objective. Virtual environments may also provideaudio content for playback by the users. However, some users may opt toplay back audio content that is not provided by the virtual environment,e.g., content from a private playlist. For instance, users may disablebackground audio tracks of the virtual environment and use an externalmedia player application to play back desired audio content. The mediaplayer application may run locally on a computer system of the useralong with the applications that provide the virtual environment.

Some embodiments herein provide techniques to integrate the audioexperience provided by user-selected audio content with the immersiveexperience provided by virtual environment. Doing so provides additionalways to interact with the virtual environment. At least in some cases,other users in the virtual world may also expand how they interact withthe virtual environment, regardless of the audio content other users arelistening to. In some embodiments, an artist associated with the audiocontent may participate in the virtual environment to interact with fansand to share, promote, or sell content. To that end, an avatarrepresenting the artist may be presented near users currently listeningto audio content by the artist. Presence of the avatar representing theartist thus conveys or reflects a status of one or more users of thevirtual environment, e.g., in terms of audio content that the users arecurrently listening to.

In one embodiment, a virtual world application may be configured toidentify audio content played back by a user having a player avatar inthe virtual environment. The virtual world application then identifiesan artist of the audio content. The virtual world then generates anartist avatar that represents the identified artist. The artist avatarserves as a companion for at least the user in the virtual environment.The artist avatar may also be referred to herein as a companion avatar.

FIG. 1 is a data flow diagram 100 illustrating an application configuredto reflect status in a virtual environment, according to one embodimentpresented in this disclosure. As shown, a virtual world application 102is configured to identify audio content 106 currently being played backby a user of a player avatar 104 in the virtual environment. The virtualworld application 102 is also configured to identify an artist of theaudio content currently played back by the user. The virtual worldapplication 102 is also configured to generate a companion avatar 108representing the identified artist. At least in some embodiments, thecompanion avatar 108 resembles the identified artist at least in part.

In some embodiments, the companion avatar 108 may have different modesincluding a non-player character (NPC) mode and an artist mode. In thenon-player character mode, the companion avatar 108 iscomputer-controlled without requiring user input, while in the artistmode, the companion avatar 108 is controlled in real-time based on inputfrom the artist. Depending on the embodiment, the authorization and/orauthentication process for artists may be the same as or different fromthose for non-artist users. Regardless of the mode the companion avatar108 is in, the companion avatar 108 may be equipped with abilities thatmay assist the player avatar 104 in completing one or more objectivesdefined in the virtual environment. These abilities may be offensive innature, defensive in nature, or provided other utility to the playeravatar 104. Further, each artist may be represented by a companionavatar with a distinct set of abilities specific to the respectiveartist. Further still, each companion avatar may have a distinct set ofanimations specific to the companion avatar, including, for example,spawning animation, movement animation, attack animation, deathanimation, etc.

In some embodiments, the companion avatar 108 may additionally oralternatively provide predefined commentary pertaining to variousaspects such as pertaining to the audio content being played back by theuser, pertaining to the artist, pertaining to the virtual environment,pertaining to the current location of the companion avatar 108 in thevirtual environment, and so forth. For instance, commentary may indicatewhen or how the artist composed or performed the audio content beingplayed, the inspiration behind the audio content, etc. Depending on theembodiment, the commentary may be provided to the user by text, audio,video, or a combination thereof. Depending on the embodiment, audio orvideo commentary may be provided based on a recording or footage of theartist prepared ahead of time, or based on at least a text-to-speechconvertor. Doing so allows the artist to provide users withbehind-the-scenes content at least in some cases. In some embodiments,certain portions of the commentary may be synchronized in time tocertain sections of the audio content being played back by the user,based on one or more predefined commentary synchronization rulesspecific to the audio content being played back.

In one embodiment, the companion avatar 108 when in NPC mode conforms tomovement constraints pertaining to its location relative to the playeravatar 104. For instance, the movement constraint may preclude thecompanion avatar 108 in NPC mode from straying beyond a predefinedtravel distance from the player avatar 104 in the virtual environment.At least in some embodiments, the movement constraints may be determinedand/or modified based at least in part on input from the user of theplayer avatar 104. In some embodiments, the movement constraints may befreely disregarded when the companion avatar 108 is in artist mode.

In some embodiments, when the companion avatar 108 is in NPC mode,exclusive cosmetic and/or gameplay aspects may be provided in thevirtual environment. When the companion avatar 108 is in artist mode,additional exclusive cosmetic and/or gameplay aspects may be provided inthe virtual environment. Further, for each artist, multiple instances ofthe companion avatar in NPC mode may coexist in the virtual environment.This allows multiple player avatars in the virtual environment to havethe same companion avatar. In some embodiments, for each artist, only asingle instance of the corresponding companion avatar in artist mode maycoexist in the virtual environment. For each artist, however, acorresponding companion avatar in artist mode may coexist with multiplecorresponding companion avatars in NPC mode. In some embodiments, theartist may alternate, in sequence, control of multiple companion avatarinstances, effectively “hopping” from one instance to another in thevirtual environment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system 200 configuredto reflect status in a virtual environment, according to one embodimentpresented in this disclosure. As shown, the system 200 includes aplurality of client systems 202 connected to a plurality of serversystems 206 via a network 204. Depending on the embodiment, the virtualworld application 102 may be one or more of a virtual world client 208or a virtual world server 210. In one embodiment, each of the clientsystems 202 is configured to operate the virtual world client 208.Examples of the client systems 202 include, without limitation, consolegaming systems (e.g., the Microsoft Xbox 360®, the Sony Playstation® 3,etc.), handheld gaming systems (e.g., the Nintendo 3DS™ and DS™, theSony PSP®, etc.), personal computer gaming systems and so on. The serversystems 206 are configured to operate the virtual world server 210.Generally, the virtual world server 210 is configured to receiveconnections from users (e.g., via the virtual world clients 208) and tomanage a virtual environment and interactions between the users withinthe virtual environment. In one embodiment, the virtual environment is avirtual world. The virtual world client 208 or the virtual world server210 may provide the companion avatar 108 for the a player avatar in thevirtual environment. Doing so may facilitate social interaction andimprove immersive aspects of the virtual environment at least in somecases.

FIGS. 3A-3B depict a graphical user interface (GUI) screen 300 of thevirtual world application 102 and showing a companion avatar 108 in NPCmode, along with an accompanying table 350 of effects permitted by thecompanion avatar 108 in NPC mode, according to one embodiment presentedin this disclosure. Depending on the embodiment, the effects may includecosmetic effects, gameplay effects, or hybrid effects. Cosmetic effectsserve a cosmetic purpose and do not alter the ability of any playeravatar to achieve any predefined objective in the virtual environment.An example of a cosmetic effect is a pair of virtual boots for theplayer avatar in the virtual environment. In contrast, gameplay effectsalter the ability of a player avatar to achieve a predefined objectivein the virtual environment and do not provide any cosmetic aspect beyondwhat is needed to realize the gameplay effect. An example of a gameplayeffect is an enhanced jumping ability of the player avatar in thevirtual environment. Hybrid effects are effects that combine cosmeticeffects and gameplay effects. An example of a hybrid effect is a pair ofvirtual boots that, when worn, gives the player avatar enhanced jumpingability. The effects may be referred to herein as aspects or perks.

As shown, the GUI screen 300 shows player avatars 104 ₁₋₅ at apredefined location in the virtual environment. Assume that a user ofthe player avatar 104 ₁ is currently playing back audio content. Asstated above, in one embodiment, the virtual world application 102identifies an artist of the audio content. Depending on the embodiment,the artist may be identified based on metadata of the audio content,digital audio fingerprinting techniques, etc. The virtual worldapplication 102 then generates a companion avatar 108 for the playeravatar 104 ₁ and representing the identified artist. The companionavatar 108 includes a mode indicator 304 indicating the current mode ofthe companion avatar 108. In this particular example, the mode indicator304 indicates that the companion avatar 108 is in NPC mode. Inalternative embodiments, the companion avatar 108 may additionallyinclude an artist name indicator indicating a name of the artist and/ora player name indicator indicating a player name of a player avatar thatthe companion avatar 108 is a companion to.

At least in some embodiments, the artist is generated by instantiating apredefined avatar template for the artist, wherein the predefined avatartemplate is selected from a set of predefined avatar templatesrepresenting various artists. Each predefined avatar template bears atleast some physical resemblance of the respective artist, includingphysical features, preferred style of attire, accessories, instruments,etc. Depending on the embodiment, the predefined avatar template for agiven artist may be generated based at least in part on input from theartist or without requiring any input whatsoever from the artist. Insome scenarios where the artist is identified but where no predefinedavatar representing the artist is available, the virtual worldapplication 102 generates a first generic avatar having an artist nameindicator indicating the name of the identified artist. In otherscenarios where the artist cannot be identified by the virtual worldapplication 102, the virtual world application 102 generates a secondgeneric avatar having an artist name indicator indicating an artist nameprovided by the user of the player avatar 104 ₁. Depending on theembodiment, the first and second generic avatars may be the same ordifferent in physical appearance in the virtual world.

In one embodiment, the companion avatar 108 may be introduced into thevirtual world in NPC mode. Presence of the companion avatar 108 in theNPC mode may grant eligible players one or more of a set of perksassociated with the NPC mode of companion avatar 108. Each perk may haveassociated eligibility criteria for receiving the respective perk. Theeligibility criteria may pertain to aspects related to the player avataror to the user of the player avatar. For instance, a given perk may onlybe available to the player avatar that the companion avatar is companionto. Another perk may require eligible player avatars to be within apredefined range of the companion avatar 108 in the virtual environment.Additionally or alternatively, the perk may require eligible playeravatars to have completed a predefined objective in the virtualenvironment, such as having obtained the requisite amount of experiencepoints to achieve a designated player avatar level. Still additionallyor alternatively, the perk may require the users of eligible playeravatars to geographically reside in a given state or city in the UnitedStates, as evidenced in user account information associated with theplayer avatars and previously specified by the users. The perk may alsorequire the users of eligible player avatars to have purchased a givennumber of audio content items of the artist, as evidenced by purchasetransaction histories or personal audio library metadata associated withthe users.

As shown in the table 350 of effects, NPC-mode perks in a particularembodiment include perks 306 of a speed boost, a spell cast, and a droprate bonus. The speed boost increases the maximum moving speed of aplayer avatar and is available only to the player avatar that thecompanion avatar 108 is companion to. The spell cast permits a playeravatar to cast a spell associated with the artist and is available toany player avatar within a first area 302 ₁ of effect associated withthe companion avatar 108. Depending on the embodiment, the spell may beserve offensive, defensive, or other purposes in the virtualenvironment. The drop rate bonus increases an enemy drop rate of avirtual item associated with the artist and is available to any playeravatar within a second, larger area 302 ₂ of effect associated with thecompanion avatar 108. The enemy drop rate of a given virtual item from agiven virtual foe is a percentage chance of the virtual foe dropping thevirtual item as a player reward, when the virtual foe is defeated by theplayer.

Depending on the embodiment, the areas 302 of effect may be measured asa function of a current location of the companion avatar 108, of theplayer avatar 104 ₁, and/or a virtual object of the companion avatar108, etc. At least in some embodiments, the areas 302 of effect arevisually conveyed in the virtual environment in the form of halos of apredefined color and/or texture. In an alternative embodiment, the areas302 of effect are not visually conveyed in the virtual environment. Insome embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the proximity to thecompanion avatar, eligibility of a given player avatar to receive a perkmay hinge on whether the given player avatar is in the same guild, clan,team, squad, or party as the player avatar having the companion avataror whether the given player avatar is currently on a friend list of theplayer avatar in the virtual environment.

As shown, in the presence of the companion avatar 108 in NPC mode in thevirtual environment, the player avatar 104 ₁ receives all three perks,including the speed boost, the spell cast, and the drop rate bonus. Theplayer avatar 104 ₂ receives two perks including the spell cast and thedrop rate bonus. The player avatar 104 ₃ receives only the drop ratebonus perk. The player avatars 104 ₄₋₅, on the other hand, do notreceive any of the three perks associated with the companion avatar 108in NPC mode. In some embodiments, the perks may also scale with thecount of proximate player avatars. For instance, the effect of the spellcast may be increased based on the total number of player avatars withinthe first area 302 ₁ of effect. Similarly, the drop rate bonus may beincreased based on the total number of player avatars within the secondarea 302 ₂ of effect. In other embodiments, the perks do not scale withthe count of proximate player avatars.

In some embodiments, the perks may additionally or alternatively scalebased on proximity to the companion avatar, amount of audio tracks ofthe artist owned by the user of the player avatar, etc. In a particularembodiment, any player avatar may request and receive a special weaponfrom the companion avatar. The larger the collection of audio contentowned by the user of a given player avatar wielding the special weapon,the more powerful the attributes of the special weapon. Similarly, inanother particular embodiment, any player avatar may request and receivespecial armor from the companion avatar. The larger the collection ofaudio content owned by the user of a given player avatar wearing thespecial armor, the more powerful the attributes of the special armor. Inyet another embodiment, any player avatar may request and receive one ormore “magic spells” from the companion avatar. The larger the collectionof audio content owned by the user of a given player avatar using themagic spells, the more powerful the effects of the magic spells. Stillanother embodiment includes receiving a positive status effect or “buff”that is scaled based on the collection size of the user of a givenplayer avatar. Other embodiments not departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure are broadly completed.

In one embodiment, the companion avatar 108 spawns in the virtualenvironment once the player avatar 104 ₁ plays back audio content of theartist for a first predefined duration of time. At least in someembodiments, the companion avatar 108 de-spawns in the virtualenvironment once the player avatar 104 ₁ has stopped playing back audiocontent of the artist for a second predefined duration of time.Depending on the embodiment, the first and second durations of time maybe the same or different in measure. Further, depending on theembodiment, a single player avatar may be precluded from having orpermitted to have multiple concurrent companion avatars. Multipleconcurrent artist avatars may be present, for example, when a newcompanion avatar has spawned and before the old companion avatar hasde-spawned, based on the first and second durations of time discussedabove. In embodiments where a given artist is an artist group, one ormore avatars representing one or more members of the artist group mayspawn.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict a GUI screen 400 of the virtual world application 102and showing a companion avatar 108 in artist mode, along with anaccompanying table 450 of effects permitted by the companion avatar 108in artist mode, according to one embodiment presented in thisdisclosure. As stated above, in some embodiments, an artist may bepermitted to control a companion avatar representing the artist in thevirtual world. When the artist takes control of the companion avatar,the companion avatar switches from NPC mode to artist mode. Put anotherway, the companion avatar is re-introduced into the virtual world inartist mode rather than in NPC mode. As shown, the companion avatar 108includes a mode indicator 404 indicating that the current mode of thecompanion avatar 108 is artist mode rather than NPC mode. At least insome embodiments, the mode indicator 404 is conveyed more prominentlythan the mode indicator 304 of FIG. 3. In some embodiments, in additionto or alternative to the mode indicator 404, users may identify thecompanion avatar 108 as being in artist mode, on the basis of thecompanion avatar 108 initiating or engaging in textual or auralconversation with one or more players and in a manner that the companionavatar 108 in NPC mode is not configured to support.

In some embodiments, the companion avatar when in artist mode provides adifferent set of perks in addition to also providing the perks of thecompanion avatar from NPC mode. In some embodiments, the perks of thecompanion avatar from NPC mode may also be increased in measure when thecompanion avatar is in artist mode. In alternative embodiments, thecompanion avatar when in artist mode only provides the different set ofperks, to the exclusion of the perks of the companion avatar from NPCmode. In still alternative embodiments, the companion avatar when inartist mode provides the same perks as provided by the companion avatarfrom NPC mode, and the perks may be increased or may remain the same inmeasure.

In one embodiment, the specific perks associated with the NPC mode andthe artist mode of the companion avatar, respectively, may be determinedbased at least in part on input from the user of the player avatar, theartist, a developer of the virtual world application 102, and/or aprovider of servers hosting the virtual environment. At least in someembodiments, the specific perks associated with the NPC mode and theartist mode, respectively, may be selected from a greater number ofperks associated with and unique to the artist. The greater number ofperks may also be determined based at least in part on input from theuser of the player avatar, the artist, a developer of the virtual worldapplication 102, and/or the server provider. At least in someembodiments, the perks associated with a companion avatar instance maybe determined based on a predefined function such as a pseudorandomfunction.

In one embodiment, the abilities of the companion avatar itself may alsobe determined based at least in part on input from the user of theplayer avatar, the artist, a developer of the virtual world application102, and/or a provider of servers hosting the virtual environment. Atleast in some embodiments, the specific abilities associated with thecompanion avatar may be selected from a greater number of abilitiesassociated with and unique to the artist. The greater number ofabilities may also be determined based at least in part on input fromthe user of the player avatar, the artist, a developer of the virtualworld application 102, and/or the server provider. At least in someembodiments, the abilities associated with a companion avatar instancemay be determined based on a predefined function such as a pseudorandomfunction.

As shown in the table 450 of effects, artist-mode perks in a particularembodiment include perks 406 of purchasing an exclusive t-shirt,purchasing an exclusive audio track, and streaming an exclusive audiotrack. An alternative embodiment provides an artist-mode perk ofproviding a discount on a non-exclusive audio track or album or even agiveaway of a non-exclusive audio track or album. Non-exclusive ordiscounted audio tracks may be visually conveyed in the virtual world asvirtual jewel cases held by the companion avatar, inside coat pockets ofthe companion avatar, in a cart pushed by the companion avatar, etc. Insome embodiments, audio tracks already owned by a given user isdetermined by, upon approval by the user, inventorying an audio libraryof the user, which in some cases may be maintained by a media playerapplication of the user. The companion avatar may then offer, for saleto the user, only those tracks not already owned by the user, therebyreducing user interface clutter at least in some cases. In a specificembodiment, the companion avatar may give a virtual jewel case to theplayer avatar in the virtual environment, and the user of the playeravatar may complete the trade or transaction by having the player avatarplace the virtual jewel case in a pocket of the player avatar.

Depending on the embodiment, the t-shirt may be a real-world t-shirt forthe user of the player avatar or a virtual t-shirt for the playeravatar, and the purchased audio track may be the same as or differentthan the streamed audio track. In one embodiment, the perk of purchasingthe exclusive t-shirt permits a user of an eligible player avatar topurchase an exclusive t-shirt associated with the artist and isavailable only to the player avatar that the companion avatar 108 iscompanion to. The perk of purchasing an exclusive audio track permits auser of an eligible player avatar to purchase an exclusive audio trackfrom the artist and is available to any player avatar within a firstarea 402 ₁ of effect associated with the companion avatar 108. The perkof streaming an exclusive audio track permits a user of an eligibleplayer avatar to listen to the exclusive audio track and is available toany player avatar within a second area 402 ₂ of effect associated withthe companion avatar 108. Put another way, in some embodiments, thevirtual world application 102 is configured to preclude users ofineligible player avatars from purchasing the exclusive t-shirt,purchasing the exclusive audio track, and streaming the exclusive audiotrack, as appropriate.

As shown, the areas 402 ₁₋₂ of effect in FIG. 4 are expanded relative tothe areas 302 ₁₋₂ of effect in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, when thecompanion avatar 108 is in artist mode, both artist-mode perks andNPC-mode perks are provided based on the expanded areas 402 ₁₋₂ ofeffect. In alternative embodiments, when the companion avatar 108 is inartist mode, artist-mode perks are provided based on the expanded areas402 ₁₋₂ of effect, while NPC-mode perks are provided based on theoriginal areas 302 ₁₋₂ of effect.

As shown, in the presence of the companion avatar 108 in artist mode inthe virtual environment, the player avatar 104 ₁ receives all threeperks, including the abilities to purchase an exclusive t-shirt, topurchase an exclusive audio track, and to stream an exclusive audiotrack, respectively. The player avatars 104 ₂₋₃ each receives two perksincluding the abilities to purchase an exclusive audio track and tostream an exclusive audio track, respectively. The player avatar 104 ₄receives only the ability to stream an exclusive audio track. The playeravatars 104 ₅, on the other hand, does not receive any of the threeperks associated with the companion avatar 108 in artist mode. As statedabove, at least in some embodiments, both artist-mode perks and NPC-modeperks may be simultaneously active when the companion avatar 108 is inartist mode.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict GUI screens 500, 520, 580 of the virtual worldapplication and pertaining to the companion avatar 108 in artist mode,according to one embodiment presented in this disclosure. As statedabove, in some embodiments, the virtual world application may permit anactual artist to control, in successive, companion avatar instancesrepresenting the artist. As shown in the GUI screen 500, the virtualenvironment includes player avatars 104 ₁₋₅ each having a respectivecompanion avatar 108 ₁₋₃ representing an artist of audio contentcurrently played back by the user of the respective player avatar 104.More specifically, the player avatars 104 _(1,3-4) have companionavatars 108 ₁₋₃ representing the same (first) artist. The player avatar104 ₂ has a companion avatar 108 ₄ representing a second artist, and theplayer avatar 104 ₅ has a companion avatar 108 ₅ representing yet athird artist. Each companion avatar 108 ₁₋₅ is in NPC mode, as indicatedby the mode indicator 502 of the companion avatar 108 ₁, for example.

Assume that the first artist launches the virtual world application 102and logs into a player account specifically designated as an artistaccount. In this regard, the registration process for an artist accountmay include verification of the purported identity of the user claimingto be the artist. The virtual world application 102 may then present theGUI screen 520 to the artist. As shown, the GUI screen 520 provides alisting 504 of existing instances of the companion avatar representingthe artist in the virtual environment. At least in some embodiments, theGUI screen 520 permits the artist to select, in succession, one or moreof the listed instances to control. Controlling an instance by an artistmay also be referred to herein as populating the instance by the artist,inhabiting the instance by the artist, or a special appearance made bythe artist via the instance. At least in some embodiments, although theGUI screen 520 is provided to the artist, the artist is not compelled touse any of the features provided by the GUI screen 520. In particular,if the artist merely desires to enjoy the virtual environment using aplayer avatar of the artist, the artist may do so. On the other hand,players who are not recognized by the virtual world application 102 asartists are precluded from accessing the GUI screen 520. Similarly,artists who have not properly created a player account designated as anartist account are also precluded from accessing the GUI screen 520.

As shown, the listing includes an entry for each of the companionavatars 108 ₁₋₃, which represent the first artist. A first entryspecifies that one instance is companion to the player avatar 104 ₁having an avatar level of eight, an associated player named Amy Brown,aged nineteen, residing in the United States, and who owns fifteen outof twenty audio tracks of the artist. A second entry specifies thatanother instance is companion to the player avatar 104 ₃ having anavatar level of ten and an associated player named Bob Smith, agedtwenty-six, residing in Canada, and who owns twelve out of twenty audiotracks of the artist. A third entry specifies that yet another instanceis companion to the player avatar 104 ₄ having an avatar level of fiveand an associated player named Chris White, aged twenty-two, residing inthe United States, and who owns five out of twenty audio tracks of theartist. In some embodiments, other attributes are shown, such as acurrent location of the companion avatar or of the player avatar in thevirtual environment. In some embodiments, the current location of thevirtual environment is graphically shown in the GUI screen 520 inreal-time, including all avatars and virtual objects at the currentlocation.

In one embodiment, the GUI screen 520 also includes a set of commands506 available to the artist. As shown, the commands 506 include refresh,auto-select, show all players, populate selected companion, and specifyduration. The refresh command permits the artist to refresh the listing504 to show a latest set of companion avatars that exist in the virtualenvironment. In an alternative embodiment, the listing 504 refreshesautomatically and periodically, and the refresh command is optionallyprovided. The auto-select button permits the artist to request thevirtual world application 102 to automatically select a companion avatarinstance based on one or more predefined selection rules. In aparticular embodiment, the selection rules may specify that users owningmore audio tracks of the artist have a higher likelihood of selectionand that younger have a higher likelihood of selection. The selectionrules may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular case.

In one embodiment, the show all players command permits the artist tospecify to augment the listing to include other types of players notalready displayed. For example, the listing may be augmented to displayplayers who are not currently listening to the audio content by theartist but who nevertheless own greater than a predefined minimumthreshold of audio tracks of the artist. Additionally or alternatively,in embodiments where players whose companion avatar instances haverecently been inhabited by the artist are not included in the listing,the listing may be augmented to nonetheless display such players. Thepopulate selected companion permits the artist to specify to populate acompanion avatar instance, once the companion avatar instance isselected by the artist or automatically selected by the virtual worldapplication 102. The specify duration command permits the artist tospecify a minimum and/or a maximum duration for which to inhabit eachindividual companion avatar instance. In some embodiments, the artist isprecluded from inhabiting a companion avatar instance for a durationshorter than the minimum duration or longer than the maximum duration.In other embodiments, while the artist is not precluded from inhabitingthe companion avatar instance for a duration shorter than the minimumduration or longer than the maximum duration, the virtual worldapplication is configured to output alerts to the artist that theminimum and/or maximum durations may not be met. In such embodiments,the artist may follow or disregard the alert as appropriate.

Assume that the artist opts to populate the companion avatar instance ofuser Amy Brown, by activating the “populate selected companion” commandwhen Amy Brown is selected. In one embodiment, the companion avatar 108₁ switches from NPC mode to artist mode, as shown by the mode indicator508 in the GUI screen 580. Once the companion avatar 108 ₁ is in artistmode, the artist may in real-time interact with Amy Brown and otherusers having player avatars in the vicinity in the virtual world.Further, artist-mode perks become available, while the NPC-mode perksmay also remain active and optionally enhanced. Accordingly, embodimentsdisclosed herein may facilitate social interactions between playersthemselves and between players and artists, while also providingadditional gameplay aspects specific to the artists represented.Consequently, the immersive aspects of the virtual environments may beimproved while also providing a platform for fan interaction, branddevelopment, and product marketing for artists. For example, in aparticular embodiment, users of player avatars may take snapshots ordigital audio and/or video recordings of artist appearances in thevirtual environment and circulate the snapshots and digital recordingsthrough social media, thereby increasing the profile of the virtualenvironment and of the artist. In this regard, the snapshots and digitalrecordings may be tagged with the artist when circulated through one ormore designated social media applications, and the tagging also mayoccur automatically in some embodiments based on one or more predefinedcontent tagging rules.

Although embodiments are described herein in conjunction with providingcompanion avatars representing artists of audio content, otherembodiments are broadly contemplated. For instance, in some embodiments,companion avatars may be provided to represent actors and/or directorsof movies, artists of graphical content, authors of books or electronicbooks (e-books), dancers, photographers, sculptors, architects, and soon, based on profile information of the user indicating contentcurrently or recently enjoyed by the user, where the profile informationmay be specified by the user or, upon authorization by the user,retrieved from a user profile maintained by the user on a social mediaapplication. In such embodiments, the companion avatar may providecommentary pertaining to aspects such as inspiration behind a specificchapter in a book, mechanics of materials used when creating a paintingor taking a photograph, etc. In some embodiments, a companion avatar mayspawn additional, character avatars to provide background to a storyenjoyed by the user, including one of a main character from the story,who can relay background information of the story to the user.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting a method 600 to facilitate socialinteractions in a virtual environment and based on companion avatars,according to one embodiment presented in this disclosure. As shown, themethod 600 begins at step 602, where the virtual world application 102determines an artist of audio content currently played back by a user ofa player avatar in the virtual environment, where the audio content isselected from user content items of the user. At step 604, the virtualworld application 102 programmatically selects the companion avatar froma set of available avatars and without requiring user intervention,where the selected companion avatar conveys an identity of the artist ofthe audio content played back by the user of the player avatar. At step606, the virtual world application 102 generates an instance of theprogrammatically selected companion avatar. The generated instance maybe assigned to or associated with the player avatar. The generatedinstance, which is output for display, serves as a companion for atleast the player avatar in the virtual environment. The companion isconfigured to interact with at least the player avatar in the virtualenvironment. The companion conveys to at least one other player avatarin the virtual environment, that the user is currently listening toaudio content by the artist, thereby facilitating social iterations inthe virtual environment and pertaining to the audio content at least insome cases.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method 700 for managing perksassociated with companion avatars in a virtual environment, according toone embodiment presented in this disclosure. To this end, the method 700may be performed for each of a set of player avatars desired to beevaluated for purposes of applying perks thereto. As shown, the method700 begins at step 702, where the virtual world application 102determines whether the companion avatar is a companion to a currentplayer avatar under evaluation. If so, then at step 704, the virtualworld application 704 applies an associated NPC-mode perk to the currentplayer avatar. At step 706, the method 700 enters a loop to process eachadditional NPC-mode perk. At step 708, the virtual world application 102determines whether the current player avatar satisfies eligibilitycriteria for receiving the NPC-mode perk. If so, then at step 710, thevirtual world application 102 applies the associated NPC-mode perk tothe current player avatar.

At step 712, the virtual world application 102 determines whether moreNPC-mode perks remain to be processed. If so, the method 700 returns tothe step 706 to process a next NPC-mode perk. Otherwise, then at step714, the virtual world application 102 determines whether the companionavatar is in artist mode. If so, then at step 716, the virtual worldapplication 102 processes artist-mode perks. To that end, the virtualworld application 102 may perform the steps of 702 to 712 modified toevaluate and apply artist-mode perks rather than NPC-mode perks.Consequently, when the companion avatar is in artist mode, both NPC-modeperks and artist-mode perks are applied to eligible player avatars. Insome embodiments, NPC-mode perks may be magnified or otherwise alteredwhen the companion avatar is in artist mode. In alternative embodiments,however, NPC-mode perks are not applied when the companion avatar is inartist mode.

In one embodiment, the virtual environment includes environment contentitems specific to the virtual environment and not specific to any userof the virtual environment. In some cases, the plurality of environmentcontent items and the player content items do not have any content itemin common, and the player content items are not specific to the virtualenvironment. In one embodiment, the soundtrack is, in respectiveinstances, played back by the user via each application selected from:(i) a virtual world application providing the virtual environment; and(ii) a media player application separate from and external to thevirtual world application. The virtual world application and the mediaplayer application are configured to execute in an operating system (OS)environment of a computer local to the user of the player avatar. Insome embodiments, the media player application executes on an adifferent computer or computing device.

In one embodiment, the instance of the programmatically selectedcompanion avatar affects, in respective instances: (i) only cosmeticaspects of the virtual environment other than the instance itself; (ii)only gameplay aspects of the virtual environment, including, inrespective instances, a virtual item of the user and a virtual item ofthe instance; and (iii) both cosmetic and gameplay aspects of thevirtual environment. Further, the instance, in respective instances: (i)conveys, to the at least one user, the audio content being played back;and (ii) does not convey, to at least one other user of another avatar,the audio content being played back. The virtual environment includes,for each of a set of distinct artists including the determined artist, arespective set of instances of the respective artist, of which eachinstance serves as a companion to a respective, distinct player avatarin the virtual environment.

As described above, in one embodiment, each instance has a plurality ofmodes including an NPC mode and an artist mode. Each instance is, atleast partially in time, in the NPC mode. In the NPC mode, therespective instance is not under control by any artist and does notconvey the desired instance as being controlled by any artist. In aparticular embodiment, a given instance of a given avatar is terminatedupon the respective player avatar ceasing listening to audio content bythe given avatar.

In one embodiment, the virtual world application 102 is configured toset a selected instance to an artist mode. In the artist mode, theselected instance is controlled based on input from the artist. Further,in the artist mode, the desired instance conveys to the at least oneuser that the selected instance is being controlled by the artist. Doingso may facilitate artist-user interaction in the virtual environment atleast in some cases.

In one embodiment, the selected instance is, in respective instances:(i) selected based at least in part on artist input and (ii)programmatically selected without any artist input. In some embodiments,the virtual world application 102 is further configured to generate agraphical user interface (GUI) that includes information pertaining tothe instances of the artist. The GUI is output to the artist tofacilitate the artist monitoring the plurality of instances of theartist. The virtual world application 102 is further configured toreceive, from the artist, a request to assume control of the instanceselected by the artist from among the plurality of instances, and theselected instance is set to the artist mode responsive to the request.

In one embodiment, the virtual world application 102 is configured to,in a second instance, programmatically selecting the instance from amongthe instances and based on a set of user selection criteria. In someembodiments, the set of user selection criteria specifies that usershaving a larger collection of content items by a given artist have ahigher likelihood of being programmatically selected. In a particularembodiment, the likelihood of a given user being programmaticallyselected is a function of a size of the collection of content items ofthe given user.

In one embodiment, each instance of conveying comprises visuallyconveying, and each instance, when in the artist mode, is visuallydistinct than when in the NPC mode. In one embodiment, the artist-userinteraction includes, in respective instances, audio chat, text chat,video chat, and content sharing. The content sharing includes exclusiveaudio content from the artist, and the exclusive audio content is notincluded in the plurality of user content items of any user of thevirtual environment. At least in some embodiments, the artist assumescontrol of a subset, less than the entirety, of the plurality ofinstances, in sequence.

In one embodiment, the information pertaining to each instance of theartist includes, for the respective instance, player avatar informationpertaining to the player avatar to which the respective instance iscompanion. The information also includes user information of the playeravatar. The information also includes virtual environment locationinformation of at least one of the player avatar and the respectiveinstance. The information further includes information pertaining to asubset of content items of the user, which subset of content items areby the artist.

In one embodiment, one or more avatars in the virtual environment, otherthan the avatar, satisfy a first proximity threshold pertaining to theinstance of the artist in the virtual environment when the instance isin NPC mode. Such avatars are then permitted to access at least a secondgameplay aspect. In some embodiments, the second gameplay aspect is nototherwise accessible when the one or more avatars do not satisfy thefirst proximity threshold pertaining to the instance of the artist inthe virtual environment. At least in some embodiments, this occursdespite the instance not being companion to any of the one or moreavatars. Doing so may thereby encourage instance-user interaction in thevirtual environment at least in some cases. In some embodiments, theinstance may also convey that the instance is companion to the avatarand not to any other avatar in the virtual environment.

In one embodiment, one or more avatars in the virtual environment, otherthan the avatar, satisfy a second proximity threshold pertaining to theinstance of the artist in the virtual environment when the instance isin artist mode. Such avatars are then permitted to access at least athird gameplay aspect. In some embodiments, the third gameplay aspect isnot otherwise accessible when the one or more avatars do not satisfy thesecond proximity threshold pertaining to the instance of the artist inthe virtual environment. At least in some embodiments, this occursdespite the instance not being companion to any of the one or moreavatars. Doing so may thereby encourage artist-user interaction in thevirtual environment at least in some cases.

At least in some embodiments, the first, second and third gameplayaspects are distinct gameplay aspects with successively greaterinfluence on the virtual environment. Further, the second proximitythreshold is higher than the first proximity threshold. Further still,synchronized playback of audio content by the artist is provided for therespective user of each avatar satisfying the second proximity thresholdmeasured relative to the instance of the artist in the virtualenvironment when the instance is in artist mode. In some embodiments, inrespective instances and without requiring user intervention: (i) anaudio recording and (ii) a video recording of the synchronized playbackis stored and transmitted for publishing via a designated social mediaapplication. In some embodiments, the companion avatar serves, inrespective instances: (i) as companion only to the user; and (ii) ascompanion to multiple users currently playing back audio content by theartist, the multiple users including the user.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating components 800 of the virtualworld application 102 of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment presentedin this disclosure. As shown, the components 800 include an artistidentification module 802, a companion avatar generator 804, a perkmanagement module 806, an artist inhabitation module 808, and anaudiovisual output module 810. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat the components 800 of the virtual world application 102 are merelyexemplary, and other ways of implementing the virtual world application102 are broadly contemplated in the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the artist identification module 802 is configured toidentify artists based on audio content currently played back by usersof player avatars in the virtual environment. The companion avatargenerator 804 is configured to generate, for the player avatars,instances of companion avatars based on the identified artists. The perkmanagement module 806 is configured to apply perks to eligible playeravatars proximate to the companion avatars or otherwise satisfyingeligibility criteria for receiving the perks. The companion avatarsconvey to other player avatars in the virtual environment that the userof the player avatar is currently listening to audio content by theartist. The artist inhabitation module 808 is configured to permit anartist to control desired instances of companion avatars in the virtualworld. Doing so not only permits the artist to interact with players inthe virtual environment but may also enhance existing perks and/orunlock additional perks for eligible players. The audiovisual outputmodule 810 is configured to output instances of companion avatars andassociated audio and/or visual aspects of associated perks. In someembodiments, the audiovisual output module 810 is also configured tooutput indications of area of effect of the associated perks.Configuring the virtual world application 102 according to thetechniques disclosed herein may facilitate social interactions in thevirtual environment and thereby improve the user experience associatedwith the virtual environment at least in some cases.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system 900 configuredto reflect status in a virtual environment, according to one embodimentpresented in this disclosure. The networked system 900 corresponds tothe networked system 200 of FIG. 2. As shown, the system 900 includes aplurality of client systems 202 and a plurality of server systems 206,communicatively coupled via the network 204.

In one embodiment, the client systems 202 may include existing computersystems, e.g., desktop computers, server computers, laptop computers,tablet computers, gaming consoles, hand-held gaming devices and thelike. The client systems 202 illustrated in FIG. 9, however, are merelyexamples of computer systems in which embodiments disclosed herein maybe used. Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented differently,regardless of whether the computer systems are complex multi-usercomputing systems, such as a cluster of individual computers connectedby a high-speed network, single-user workstations, or network applianceslacking non-volatile storage. Moreover, it is explicitly contemplatedthat embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented using any device orcomputer system capable of performing the functions described herein.

As shown, each client system 202 and server system 206 includes, withoutlimitation, a processor 904, which obtains instructions and data via abus 910 from a memory 906 and storage 908. The processor 904 is aprogrammable logic device that performs instruction, logic, andmathematical processing, and may be representative of one or more CPUs.The memory 906 is any memory sufficiently large to hold the necessaryprograms and data structures. The memory 906 could be one or acombination of memory devices, including Random Access Memory,nonvolatile or backup memory (e.g., programmable or Flash memories,read-only memories, etc.).

As shown, the memory 906 includes an operating system (“OS”) 912.Operating system 912 is software used for managing the operation of theclient system 202 or the server system 206. Examples of the OS 912include UNIX, versions of the Microsoft Windows® operating system anddistributions of the Linux® operating system. Additional examples of theOS 912 include custom operating systems for gaming consoles, includingthe custom operating systems for systems such as the Microsoft Xbox360®, Nintendo WHO and Sony PlayStation® 3 as described above. As shown,the memory 906 ₁ of the client system 202 further includes the virtualworld client 208 and the companion avatar 108. The memory 906 ₂ of theserver system 206 further includes the virtual world server 210 and thecompanion avatar 108.

The storage 908 is representative of hard-disk drives, flash memorydevices, optical media and the like. Generally, the storage 908 storesapplication programs and data for use by the client systems 202. Inaddition, the memory 906 and the storage 908 may be considered toinclude memory physically located elsewhere; for example, on anothercomputer coupled to the client system 202 or to the server system 206via the bus 910. The client systems 202 and the server systems 206 areoperably connected to the network 204, e.g., via network interfaces.

Additionally, the client systems 202 each are coupled to display devices914 and input devices 916, respectively. The display devices 914 mayinclude output devices such as monitors, touch screen displays, and soon. For instance, the display devices 914 may include a display deviceused to visually depict a virtual environment. As an example, thedisplay 914 may provide a touch sensitive surface allowing the user toselect different locations within the virtual environment and controlthe movement of an avatar within the virtual environment. The inputdevices 916 represent a wide variety of input devices, includingkeyboards, mice, controllers, and so on. Furthermore, the input devices916 may include a set of buttons, switches or other physical devicemechanisms for controlling the client system 202. For example, the inputdevices 916 could include a set of directional buttons used to navigatean avatar through a virtual environment presented on the display 914.

In the preceding, reference is made to embodiments presented in thisdisclosure. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limitedto specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of thefollowing features and elements, whether related to differentembodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practicecontemplated embodiments. Furthermore, although embodiments disclosedherein may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over theprior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a givenembodiment is not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. Thus,the preceding aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merelyillustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of theappended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise,reference to “the invention” shall not be construed as a generalizationof any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not beconsidered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims exceptwhere explicitly recited in a claim(s).

Aspects disclosed herein may take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware,resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining softwareand hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a“circuit,” “module” or “system.”

Embodiments presented in this disclosure may be a system, a method,and/or a computer program product. The computer program product mayinclude a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computerreadable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carryout aspects presented in this disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofdisclosed embodiments may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects presented in this disclosure.

Aspects herein are described with reference to flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computerprogram products according to disclosed embodiments. It will beunderstood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or blockdiagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable programinstructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

Typically, cloud computing resources are provided to a user on apay-per-use basis, where users are charged only for the computingresources actually used (e.g. an amount of storage space consumed by auser or a number of virtualized systems instantiated by the user). Auser can access any of the resources that reside in the cloud at anytime, and from anywhere across the Internet. In context of the presentdisclosure, a user may access applications (e.g., the virtual worldserver 210) or related data available in the cloud. For example, thevirtual world server 210 could execute on a computing system in thecloud and manage companion avatars and perks associated therewith.Social interactions between player avatars and pertaining to audiocontent may thereby be facilitated.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments presented in this disclosure. In this regard, each block inthe flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, orportion of instructions, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments presented in thisdisclosure, other and further embodiments may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope of contemplated embodiments, and thescope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method to alter gameplayelements based on proximity to audio artist avatars in a virtualenvironment, the computer-implemented method comprising: retrieving anindication of an artist associated with audio content being played by afirst user controlling a first player avatar in the virtual environment;generating a companion avatar providing a virtual representation of theartist of the audio content; assigning the companion avatar to the firstplayer avatar in the virtual environment, whereafter the companionavatar is configured to interact with the first player avatar, whereinpresence of the companion avatar conveys to one or more other usersinteracting within the virtual environment that the first user iscurrently listening to audio content of the artist; and granting, byoperation of one or more computer processors, to a second player avatarsatisfying a first proximity threshold pertaining to the companionavatar, a first gameplay perk inaccessible when the first proximitythreshold is not met.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the companion avatar has an associated plurality of modesincluding a non-player character (NPC) mode and an artist mode.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: responsiveto receiving an authenticated request from the artist to take control ofthe companion avatar, introducing the companion avatar to the virtualenvironment in an artist mode, in which mode the companion avatar iscontrolled based on input from the artist.
 4. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising: introducing the companion avatarto the virtual environment in a non-player character (NPC) mode, inwhich mode the companion avatar is controlled by the virtualenvironment.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein theartist assumes control of a plurality of companion avatars representingthe artist, in succession.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim1, wherein the companion avatar further conveys, to the one or moreother users, the audio content being played by the first user, whereinthe companion avatar affects, in respective instances: (i) only cosmeticaspects of the virtual environment other than the companion avataritself; (ii) only gameplay perks of the virtual environment, including avirtual item present in the virtual environment; and (iii) both cosmeticand gameplay perks of the virtual environment.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein a subset, less than theentirety, of a set of available companion avatars representing theartist is selected based on a set of user selection criteria, whereinthe set of available companion avatars includes the companion avatar. 8.The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein each companionavatar in the set of available companion avatars is associated with adifferent player avatar, wherein the set of user selection criteriaspecifies that users having a larger collection of content items by agiven artist have a higher likelihood of being selected, wherein thelikelihood of a given user being selected is a function of a size of thecollection of content items of the given user.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the companion avatar isoutput for display, wherein the companion avatar conveys an identity ofthe artist of the audio content, wherein the companion avatar has aplurality of modes including a non-player character (NPC) mode and anartist mode.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein thecompanion avatar is, at least partially in time, in the NPC mode, inwhich mode the companion avatar is not under control by any artist anddoes not convey itself as being controlled by any artist.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising: granting,to a third player avatar satisfying a second proximity thresholdpertaining to the companion avatar, a second gameplay perk inaccessiblewhen the second proximity threshold is not met; and granting, to afourth player avatar satisfying a third proximity threshold pertainingto the companion avatar when in NPC mode, a third gameplay perkinaccessible when the third proximity threshold is not met.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the first, second, andthird gameplay perks are distinct gameplay perks having successivelygreater measures of influence on gameplay in the virtual environment,thereby altering gameplay elements based on proximity to audio artistavatars in the virtual environment, wherein the second proximitythreshold is higher than the first proximity threshold, wherein thethird proximity threshold is higher than the second proximity threshold;wherein each of the first, second, and third proximity thresholds isincreased when the companion avatar is in artist mode and not when thecompanion avatar is in NPC mode; wherein at least one of the first,second, and third gameplay is further scaled based on a total count ofavatars satisfying a corresponding one of the first, second, and thirdproximity thresholds pertaining to the companion avatar when in NPCmode; wherein the at least one of the first, second, and third gameplayperks is further scaled based on a total count of audio tracks of theartist owned by players of avatars satisfying a corresponding one of thefirst, second, and third proximity thresholds pertaining to thecompanion avatar when in NPC mode; wherein in respective instances: (i)the first, second, and third gameplay are only granted when thecompanion avatar is in NPC mode and not when the companion avatar is inartist mode; and (ii) the first, second, and third gameplay are grantedin both NPC and artist modes.
 13. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 12, further comprising: respectively granting the second, third,and fourth players first, second, and third physical aspects,respectively, when the respective player satisfies a respective one ofthe first, second, and third proximity thresholds pertaining to thecompanion avatar when in artist mode, each physical aspect permittingthe respective player to purchase an exclusive, physical item associatedwith the artist; wherein the first, second, and third physical aspectsare only granted when the companion avatar is in artist mode and notwhen the companion avatar is in NPC mode; wherein at least one of thefirst, second, and third gameplay perks, when still being granted inartist mode, is further scaled when the companion avatar is in artistmode.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the audiocontent is selected from a plurality of user content items of the user,wherein the companion avatar conveys an identity of the artist of theaudio content, wherein the companion avatar is programmatically selectedfrom a plurality of available companion avatars and without requiringuser intervention, wherein the computer-implemented method furthercomprises: prior to retrieving the indication of the artist, identifyingthe audio content based on a predefined digital audio fingerprintingtechnique; granting, to the first player avatar, a fourth gameplay perkaccessible only by a designated avatar that the companion avatar isassigned to, the designated avatar consisting of the first playeravatar, wherein the fourth gameplay perk is inaccessible by the second,third, and fourth players regardless of their proximity to the companionavatar; and for each of the first, second, third, and fourth gameplayaspects perks, outputting an indication that the respective gameplayperk is granted.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14,thereby facilitating, in the virtual environment, social interactionsbetween player avatars and pertaining to audio content, wherein thevirtual environment includes a plurality of environment content itemsspecific to the virtual environment and not specific to any user of thevirtual environment.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15,wherein the plurality of environment content items and the plurality ofplayer content items do not have any content item in common, wherein theplurality of player content items are not specific to the virtualenvironment.
 17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, whereinthe soundtrack is, in respective instances, played back by the user viaeach application selected from: (i) a virtual world applicationproviding the virtual environment; and (ii) a media player applicationseparate from and external to the virtual world application.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the virtual worldapplication and the media player application are configured to executein an operating system (OS) environment of a computer local to the userof the player avatar.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18,wherein the companion avatar is, in respective instances: (i) selectedbased at least in part on artist input and (ii) programmaticallyselected without any artist input.
 20. The computer-implemented methodof claim 19, further comprising, in a first instance: generating agraphical user interface (GUI) that includes information pertaining tothe subset of available companion avatars, wherein the GUI is output tothe artist to facilitate the artist monitoring the subset of availablecompanion avatars; wherein the virtual world application comprises aplurality of components including an artist identification module, acompanion avatar generator, a perk management module, an artistinhabitation module, and an audiovisual output module; wherein theartist identification module is configured to identify the audio contentbased on the predefined digital audio fingerprinting technique; whereinthe companion avatar generator is configured to generate the companionavatar providing the virtual representation of the artist of the audiocontent; wherein the perk management module is configured to grant thefirst, second, and third gameplay based on the first, second, and thirdproximity thresholds; wherein the artist inhabitation module isconfigured to introduce the companion avatar to the virtual environmentin the artist mode, in which mode the companion avatar is controlledbased on input from the artist; wherein the audiovisual output module isconfigured to output the GUI that includes information pertaining to thesubset of available companion avatars.